I really like this game. I'm still working my way through the world tour mode, but I'm up to the last set of levels. I wish the method for unlocking characters would've been more like the first game, but that's really about the only complaint I have. I think the track designs are great and picking a favorite is tough but I think I have it narrowed down to either the Skies track or the Afterburner one.

I also liked what I played. Five-player multi is cool, too. Although the Wii U bonus multiplayer modes are weird and baffling. I might grab it one of these days. How long until Mario Kart U?

I too am enjoying the game. I went for A rank through the first set of challenges, but I will heed your advice simply because I know what happens.

This is quite different than Mario Kart and thus deserves a place right beside it.

YAY!

What kind of weird cataloging system would allow that?

I plan to buy Sonic & Sega, play it for a while, and then use the Mario Kart case to literally knock it off of my shelf.

Actually, with these damned Eco Cases, they'd probably both just disintegrate on impact.

So... is this game not worth it? I mean, such little discussion has taken place!

My nephew rented it from the redbox and I tried it on the 360... it's a little weird I admit, but its kinda like a Sega Diddy Kong Racing no? It looks beautiful and is quite fun...

Is this thing worth it?

Is there anything Wii U specific? I'm probably gonna get it for that if anything.

@DeputyVanHalen

How do characters get unlocked? I saw there might have been a TON to unlock... is that true? What about levels, are there many of those to unlock too?

I ordered it the other day. It will be nice to think back on the good times of Sega's past.

There's nothing wrong with the game, Fink, in fact it's awesome. Most of the discussion took place here for some reason.

I love the game, its great. Mario Kart U is going to have to do something pretty special to beat it for me.

You guys are making the SEGA fan in me swell with pride.

Might have to pick this up after all.

This is on my list of games to buy. The price point is very sweet.

@Guillaume

I didn't see this thread again or your link till just now.. but i'm already doing the update for the game. I bought it. Whim-style. Used the $25 gift card I received for buying a 3DS XL today. I'm looking damn forward to this game.

Ooh! And here it goes. The hint of DKR I got from trying it last night, and the praise I've heard a little around here, totally just had to go for it. Oh yeah, and the price point.

So I just won a Versus match, but why? The clock never lowered enough before I knocked someone out. Is it like 20 seconds of ahead time before their time limit is over or something?

I have been playing since launch. It's a great game with a large single player component. It also gets very challenging. I hope the next Mario Kart takes a few lessons from this.

kriswright said:

You guys are making the SEGA fan in me swell with pride.

Those aren't pillows!!

This game is fun and all but some of these Hard or beyond challenges are g'damn rage inducing!!!

To be honest, I'm finding this one more fun than the last few Mario Karts. SEGA really stepped it up.

@kriswright
I hear a lot of people saying that, but it doesn't really jibe (jive?) with my experience (with the exception of Mario Kart Wii, which I sort of despised). I love the fanservice, but the framerate and physics (and maybe the weird items) dampen the whole thing for me.

Could you (or someone else) explain why you prefer Sonic & Sega?

@Anand

Well, I'm still settling in with this one. But a few things right off the bat.

Recent Mario Karts have felt pretty damn familiar, even though they've been very good taken in isolation. You and I have talked about how much Nintendo played with the formula in Double Dash and how they got spanked for it. I think it'd be safe to argue that the three Mario Karts since then are all more conservative. Great games, but pretty similar. They stick to the formula.

Throw this in the mix, then. You've got more pure racing (no blue shell). Larger levels that change lap by lap to a degree not seen in Mario Kart. There's some style, here. And you've also got all the SEGA fanservice, something that hasn't become repetitive for me, yet, because I haven't gone to that well as many times as I have with Ninty.

I've played a lot of Mario Kart wannabes over the years, but this one actually feels like its own thing. Oh, it owes a huge debt to Mario Kart, of course. But it also owes a debt to F-Zero, Excite Truck and even Smash. You could almost argue this is Nintendo's Greatest Racing Hits, only done by SEGA. That's cool. If you're gonna crib ideas, crib them from the best.

It's not a work of genius - and it's not a perfect game - but it is a good work of craft. I've said before that part of the reason I chose SEGA over Nintendo back in the day was because I'd already played a couple of games like Super Mario World but I'd never played one like Sonic. Same principal here. Mario Kart is one of the all-time great series, but I think we all know it's been repeating itself. This is different. Right now, for me, that's enough.

@kriswright
Yeah, it definitely differentiates itself from the Mario Kart mold in some big ways. And I like a bit of Sega fanservice here and there, although it isn't, by itself, enough to sell me a game. Seems like everyone's enjoying this game. And it IS $40. I'll have to pick it up. (I just wish that it were 60fps!)

I also lament the reception of Double Dash. And, like I said, I didn't care much for MKWii. But Mario Kart 7 was pretty goddamned solid (if a bit safe), which is why I was surprised that people are saying that Nintendo needs to step up their karting game after Sonic & Sega. That 8P MK7 local multiplayer session that we had in Montreal was GODLY.

I picked it up on Steam! So solid, so balanced. It does me proud.